Resumes for Career Changers

Changing careers has become increasingly common and acceptable in the 21st century. Research by the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that Americans change careers an average of 3 to 5 times over their working life. Nevertheless, career changers must make an extra effort to link up the transferable skills developed in their previous career(s) with their new training.

Employers will want to know what your new objective is and why you are changing careers. Your resume should provide this new objective, and your cover letter should briefly touch upon why you are making the change. You should also be prepared to discuss these issues in greater detail in interviews.

Most career changers find that a functional or combination resume serves them best. Consider which of your existing skills are most relevant to your new career and list them in order of importance. You should also take the time to learn the most common keywords of your new field and use them where appropriate.

The Education section should place special emphasis on any new training you may have received in the new field. Internships can be listed with your paid employment.

There is no denying that career changers can be at a disadvantage against an already established candidate. This disadvantage can be neutralized by turning the employer's attention to your retraining and the applicability of your established skills to the new field.